Page 69 of Stick Work

Grandma gives her an all-knowing look as she takes Taylor’s hand and pats it. “Cookie dough is a very popular craving. Back in my day, I couldn’t get enough of it.”

Taylor tilts her head. “Actually, now that you mention it. I think I have been craving it. That’s kind of weird. Grandma, are you psychic?” she asks and it reminds me of the fortune teller Gina had at her Halloween party. She totally freaked Roman out saying something about some girl running on him. It felt like a warning and Roman didn’t like it much, even though he said he didn’t believe in fortune tellers.

“When you get to be my age, you know some things,” Grandma explains.

“Now I’m craving it,” I announce.

“Of course you are.”

Having no idea what she means by that, I pull out my wallet and after we all order, I pay, and we head back outside. We stroll along the busy strip, eating our ice cream as we weave in and out of the throngs of party goers.

“Oh, I’d love to go look in that shop,” Mom says, looping her arm through Dad’s.

He groans. “You mean the one with the throw pillows that cost more than a car payment?”

Mom whacks him playfully. “Oh, stop.” She turns her focus to me. “Why don’t you two go and enjoy yourselves.” It’s obvious that she’s trying to give Taylor and me some alone time, but honestly, I don’t see them much and with them not trying to set me up, it’s been fun hanging out with them.

“Come on, Mom,” Dad says.

Grandma waves them off. “You two go ahead.” She grins at me. “I’m going to explore with my favorite grandson and his lovely girlfriend. Someone has to keep these two out of trouble.”

Mom frowns, like she’s debating whether leaving me alone with Grandma is a terrible decision. But really, she’s harmless. Right?

“Go ahead. Grandma can stay with me. I’ll try to keep her out of trouble.”

Mom and Dad head off and we walk, with Grandma sandwiched in between us. Suddenly, she jabs a finger toward a stately brick building a block away. “I want to go in there.”

“What’s in there?” I ask, unable to read the sign from this distance.

“Come on, you’ll see.” And just like that, she’s off speed-walking like a woman on a mission.

Taylor and I exchange a confused look. “No clue,” Taylor says, reading the question in my eyes. “But we’d better catch her before we lose her.”

“Or before she gets herself in trouble.” I grab Taylor’s hand. “Who knew Grandma could walk so fast.”

“When she puts her mind to something, I don’t think anything can stop her.” We catch up to Grandma and I read the sign over the building. Marriage License Bureau.

“Grandma, you are not getting married in Vegas,” I tell her with a laugh. “I think that boozy ice cream is messing with you.”

“I could if I wanted to.” She gives me a cheeky grin and opens the door. “But it’s not for me. It’s for you two. Someone has to be prepared in case you decide to sneak off and have an Elvis impersonator wedding.”

“Grandma—”

“Come on, humor an old lady, why don’t you.” She steps inside and we follow her in. “I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

I try again. “Grandma, we are not?—”

Taylor rests her hand on my back, stopping me mid-protest. I glance at her, expecting her to be upset, but instead I see gentle understanding. What the heck?

Grandma, meanwhile, has already placed herself in the line, and yes, she’s getting odd looks.

“What’s the harm?” Taylor asks with a shrug. “It’s not like we’re going to get stupid drunk and actually go through with it. If a piece of paper makes her happy, let’s just do it. We’ll throw it away when we get home.”

I sigh, the fight going out of me. “Okay, Grandma, you win.”

Grandma beams because she always wins. But this, even for her, it’s a little out there and I’m a little crazy for going through with it.

“Next,” the clerk calls and just like that, we’re at the counter. Grandma sticks to us like glue, no doubt worried we might be up here faking the process of getting a license. Damned if she doesn’t know how much faking is really going on.

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